Living Without a Car

For most of the world's population, life without an automobile is just, well, life. People all over the world still manage to live their entire lives without owning and operating a car - but here in the United States, a car-less lifestyle is considered a symptom of poverty, eccentricity or irresponsibility. Owning a car is not only considered a necessity, but a status symbol and financially, car ownership is considered an asset (despite the fact that operating a car is a monthly financial liability and a car depreciates in value instead of appreciating.) What sort of difficulties and hassles does an otherwise stable, sound, intelligent person face when deciding to forego car ownership in the U.S.A.? Plenty.

I gave the last car I owned to Charity in 2003. I didn't do it with the conviction that I was saving the environment or that I would never own another car. The ole' Dodge Caravan just became more expensive to keep up and as a newly single parent supporting three kids, it didn't make financial sense for me to go into debt purchasing another car. I thought I would go without for a while and save up to purchase another. That was over three years ago. I've become so enamored of living without a car, I'm not in any hurry to join the drivers of America anytime soon. But, that doesn't mean it's been easy or without hassles - most of which are coming from other people.

I do live in an urban area where walking, biking and public transportation are incredibly accessible (like most people in America). I became inspired by my sister, a committed city-dweller who sold her car when she first moved to Seattle in the nineties and has lived without a car ever since (she now lives in New York City, after also living in London). Of course, city folk don't think twice about trying to keep a car in the "big city." It's easy enough to rent a car or take a train, plane or bus to travel and getting around town is easier without a cumbersome automobile.

In my case, I live in a mid-size college town. While living without a car is indulged as a utopian ideal by the self-declared liberal mindset - it is definitely not embraced by the community. Despite bike trails and buses and sidewalks. It takes me about 40 minutes to walk from one side of downtown to the other, and I am a middle-age, plump mom - so mobility without a car is not an issue.

Neither is expense - without a car, I save the money I would spend on a car payment, insurance and the fluctuating price of gas - not to mention repairs, parking and upkeep. All in all, probably at least $300 a month (that's $3,600 a year!) when I compare what my friends are spending. For a single mom on a one-income budget, that's a hefty chunk of change. Of course, not having access to a car at any moment can be an inconvenience - but it isn't a tragedy, and it is actually a reality a person can get used to.

Most of the negative feedback or problems I've faced have come from the business sector. In a world where most work takes place at a desk facing a computer screen (in fact, I do much of my work from home), it seems a car would be even more necessary. But, many employers require employees to possess an automobile whether they actually need them for their work or not. If it's not actual policy, it's "suggested" and "expected." I've never missed a meeting or been unable to fulfill any job duties by being car-less - it may take some extra planning, but getting around has been rather painless. For some reason, it is still hard for people to believe that a responsible adult might actually choose to live without a car. It is suspect.

Common questions I get asked: "What would you do in case of an emergency?" The answer is that I would do the same thing I'd do if I had a car - call 911. The paramedics, police, etc. can respond to an emergency much quicker than I could drive to get help. "How do you do you grocery shopping?" I have two or three nice big shopping bags and I shop just like I would with a car. I may not be able to carry as much on one trip, but you'd be surprised how much you can carry and how often a person with a family stops at the store anyway. I also have friends who call and ask if I'd like to tag along when they go to the store. Sometimes, the answer is yes! "What if you want to go on a trip or to visit?" If it's out of town, I can rent a car. "How do you get your kids around?" My kids are all high schoolers and getting themselves around independently via bus, bike and walking is something they're proud of. Most of their friends no longer rely on their parents for full time transportation either.

I don't know that I will never own another car - my life and job situation could change, or I could move to a smaller town where it is more difficult to get around without one. But for now, and for the past three-plus years, I've found living without a car to be a fine lifestyle choice. I feel more in touch with my community and, actually, more connected to the way the majority of people in the world conduct their everyday lives!